Procedures for the operation of an internal combustion engine&#39;s particle filter and the mechanism for the execution of the procedure

ABSTRACT

This paper suggests a procedure for the operation of an internal combustion engine, which has a particle filter arrayed to its emission system, which, during regeneration, is cleansed of its stored particles. This also describes the procedure&#39;s comparison of the engine&#39;s amount of a load to the load threshold value. It also has a throttle cut-off, which suppresses the fuel supply entirely when the engine&#39;s amount of a load is lower than the load threshold value and the engine&#39;s revolutions are higher the revolution threshold value. The set load threshold value above null is further dependant on the particle filter&#39;s regeneration signal. These procedures, based in this invention, are to prevent the overheating of the particle filter during its regeneration.

The invention originated from the procedural operation of an internal combustion engine's emission system particle filter and from the mechanism for the procedure's execution.

DE 199 06 287 A1 is the procedure describing the operation of an internal combustion engine's particle filter; which as it becomes necessary, may be renewed. Without treatment of the particles, the particles oxidize at a temperature of 550° C. The required ignition temperature for particle ignition can be attained with a reagent agent, for instance raw hydrocarbon, which is placed into the emission system of the internal combustion engine, where it reacts exothermically with the catalytically reacting surface, thereby increasing the up flow emission temperatures ahead of the particle filter.

Under certain conditions in the internal combustion engine, situations may occur where regeneration will occur too fast because of increased emission oxygen content. Due to the high exothermal oxidation of the particles, an unallowable increase in temperature inside the particle filter can occur. To avoid such incidences, DE 103 33 441 A1 suggests to monitor particle burn off rates with an emission oxygen sensor. The default nominal values for an emission oxygen sensor signal or nominal values for modification of the sensors signal are compared to the measured oxygen sensor emission values. Upon return from the deviance between the nominal and the actual value, a trigger signal from a regulator element is available, affecting the oxygen concentration in the emission. This regulator element may well be an emission return or a throttle valve.

DE 101 08 720 A1 also gives further procedures and a mechanism for the control of a internal combustion engine which has a particle filter arrayed to the emission system, which is regularly renewed. Based on the characteristic of this type of internal combustion engine, and/or particle filter, an attribute is determined which distinguishes the intensity of the exothermal reaction within the particle filter during regeneration. When this intensity trait overrides a certain threshold value, procedures come into place to reduce the oxygen concentration in the emission in order to reduce the particle combustion time.

DE 199 06 287 A1 also describes procedures for the control of a internal combustion engine. In this description, the emission system has the particle filter arrayed to it. The temperature increase needed to ignite the regeneration of the particle filter is achieved by employing a reagent agent, which in the emission system of the internal combustion engine during up flow, ahead of the particle filter, is activated. The reagent agent is fuel, which in the emission system, exothermically reacts while on the catalytic surface. The fuel is acquired via an adjustment of the point of fuel injection time. This then leads to an incomplete combustion of the fuel within the emission system.

The insertion of the fuel into the emission system can, pursuant to DE 10 2004 033 414 A1, be achieved alternatively and/or additionally, by adjusting the point of fuel injection time, or at least with a post injection of the fuel. The first fuel post injection is a main injection attached to the post injection, at which time the injected fuel only partially combusts, in order to ensure that the fuel reaches the emission system unburned. The second post injection is a delayed fuel post injection in which the fuel does not combust at all and thus extensively reaches the emission system in this way.

The load state of a particle filter can be determined, pursuant to DE 199 06 287 A1, based on the filter's pressure differential. DE 101 18 878 A1 describes an internal combustion engine with a throttle cut-off, which saves on fuel consumption. This throttle cut-off becomes active when the revolution of the internal combustion engine reaches the threshold value if no torque is applied to the engine. The cooling down of the emission system's catalytic converter is thus prevented, which increases during the throttle cut-off of the emission return rate.

The invention's main function is to give a procedure for the operation of an internal combustion engine with a particle filter arrayed in the emission system, and a mechanism for executing a method preventing a too high temperature in the particle filter.

This main function is solved by independent requirements of the addressed features.

That the invention is in accordance with the procedure to operate an internal combustion engine, to which emission system a particle filter is arrayed, which during regeneration is freed of adhered particles. This internal combustion engine also has a mechanism in which the load of the internal combustion engine is compared to its load threshold value and the fuel allocation is completely suppressed. This occurs when the load degree in the internal combustion engine falls below the load threshold and the engine revolutions run higher then the revolution threshold value and are on the verge of a load threshold higher than null and the load threshold value is, at least, set by a regeneration signal from the particle filter.

Based on experiments, it can be shown that fuel reduction in an internal combustion engine per cycle of a cylinder, will degrade the combustion process more and more until it reaches a point where no combustion can take place.

An unstable combustion can occur especially with post fuel injections. Post fuel injections are differentiated between a near main combustion post fuel injection in which the fuel is still predominately burned in the cylinder, and delayed post fuel injections in which systematic non combusted hydrocarbons are introduced into the emission system, where they are/react exothermally. With near main combustion post fuel injections in particular, unstable conditions can occur due to reduced fuel amounts, which continue to increase when comparatively less fuel main injections are preset. Reducing the fuel amount is connected with an increased probability of misfires.

Adhering to invention procedures prevents uncontrollable oxygen insertion into the emission system up flow ahead of the particle filter. A hazardous situation for the particle filter can occur especially during regeneration. If during regeneration too much oxygen is introduced, an uncontrollable particle oxidation can occur, which leads to overheating of the filter. Too much oxygen can also result in an undesirable oxidation of emission properties, and this connected with an increase in emission temperature conjunctively determines the input parameter of the particle filter temperature.

Adhering to the invention protocol enables an adaptation of the threshold of the throttle cut-off via influencing the load threshold value in conjunction with a particle filter regeneration signal, which on one side indicates whether the particle filter is being regenerated or not, and which, if necessary, contains information in regards to the process of the regeneration.

If a regeneration signal is not present, the load threshold value of the throttle cut-off can be set at a lower rate. If the regeneration signal is present, then according to the invention proceeding, an uncontrollable oxygen entry into the emission system of the internal combustion engine with a throttle cut-off is prevented. If the regeneration signal is not a digital signal, signaling the regeneration of the particle filter, but rather, of separate information of the regeneration process, i.e. it reflects the degree of particle burn off rate, then the threshold value can be set to be fluctuating.

Favorable professional developments and definitions of procedures in accordance with the invention are contingent upon requirements.

The definition provides that the threshold value of the particle filter be dependant upon at least a characteristic of same particle filter.

The definition provides that the threshold value is dependant of, at least, an operating parameter of the internal combustion engine. The operating parameter is based on the revolutions of the engine and/or its operating temperature.

The definition provides that the threshold value is dependant upon the parameter of the emission. The preferred emissions parameter is based on the emission flow and/or emission temperature.

The definition provides that the threshold value of a selected speed of the transmission and/or is based on the weight of the vehicle in which the internal combustion engine is used as the main driving motor. Using this method, the driving comfort is affected the least.

The definition provides that during throttle cut-off except during suppression of the fuel addition at least further measures are taken for the suppression of oxygen insertion into the emission system of the internal combustion engine. For example, the throttle valve in the intake area of the engine is of the type which closes completely.

The definition provides that the transition from fuel injection to throttle cut-off and/or follows a proscribed timely procedure. With this, driving comfort during transition will be affected.

According to the invention definitions for the operation of an internal combustion engine, it first affects the steering mechanism, which for operational execution will be especially designed.

The control mechanism will contain an electronic storage device in which the procedures will be stored as computer programs.

The definition provides that the intake area of the combustion engine has a throttle valve arrayed to it. This will at least during throttle cut-off be closed to aid in the suppression of oxygen intake into the emission system of the internal combustion engine.

Further advantageous developments and definitions in accordance with the invention procedures are contingent upon further requirements and are described as follows

DRAWING

The FIGURE shows a technical field, in which a procedure according to this invention is in process.

FIG. 1 shows an internal combustion engine (10), in which intake area (11) an air acquisition (12) as well as a throttle valve (13) and in its emission system (14) a first temperature sensor (15) and a particle filter (16) with added on temperature sensor (17) are arrayed. In the emission system (14), an emission flow ms_abg is taking place.

The air acquisition (12) gives a steering equipment (20), an ambient air signal ms_L, the internal combustion engine (10) a revolution n, the first temperature sensor (15) an emission temperature te_vDPF ahead of the particle filter (16), and a second temperature sensor (17), a particle filter temperature te_DPF.

The steering mechanism (20), gives the throttle valve (13), a throttle valve signal dr and to a internal combustion engine (10) added on fuel insertion (21) a fuel signal m_K for its use.

The steering mechanism (20), contains a fuel signal detector (30), which the air signal ms_L, the revolution n, a torque speed set point Md_Sol1, and signals a first and second fuel post injection Po_I1, Po_I2 for use and which provides the fuel signal m_K as well as throttle valve signal dr.

The fuel detector (30) contains a throttle cut-off detector (31), which shows a comparator (32) which will give the readings for the air signal ms_L, the revolution n, the momentary revolution nominal value Md_Sol1 as well as threshold value L_S, which offers a signal for the throttle cut-off SA.

The throttle cut-off SA has a throttle valve signal definition (33) as well as a ramp signal definition (34) at its disposal.

The control mechanism furthermore contains a threshold value definition (35), which has at its disposal the signal for the regeneration Reg of the particle filter (16), the signal for the particle filters load condition m_P, the revolution n, emission ms_abg, particle filter temperature te_DPF, the mass of a vehicle M_Kfz, information about the gear g, the combustion engine's temperature te_Mot, as well as an ambient air temperature te_Lu which provides the threshold value L_S.

Adherence to the procedural aspects of the invention works as follows:

The fuel detector (30) contained in the control mechanism (20) determines the fuel signal m_K, i.e. in conjunction with the air signal ms_L, the revolution n, and the momentary revolution nominal value Md_Sol1. If necessary, it will also get its values from further, not yet specifically detailed inputs.

For example, the momentary revolution nominal value Md_Sol1, may be derived from the setting of a clearly shown driver pedal of a vehicle which is not in a clear position, to which the combustion engine (10) is arrayed to as its main driving force.

The fuel signal detector (30) considers the first and if necessary second post fuel injection Po_I1, Po_I2, whereby the signals are provided from a not so clearly shown regeneration control mechanism.

The particle filter (16) arrayed in the emission system (14), must be, from time to time, regenerated of its stored particles. Regeneration takes place by burning off the particles, which starts at temperatures above 550° C. without the conditioning of the particles with oxygen present.

The required start temperature for burning off particles can, for example, take place with a passive heating of the particle filter (16) through the emission temperature te_vDPF, up flow ahead of the particle filter (16). The emission temperature te-VDPF is captured by the first temperature sensor (15) and/or determined via a temperature sampler.

The increase of temperature in the emission system (14) is kept steady via an exothermal reaction with a reagent medium coupled with oxygen. This reagent medium can be attained through inner motor measures, such as combustion degradation caused by a main injection delay and/or by the post fuel injection Po_I1, PoII2.

After the beginning of the particle filter regeneration, the combustion speed of the particle can be influenced with an oxygen concentration in the emission system (14) up flow ahead of the particle filter (16). The particle filter burn off speed has a tremendous effect on the particle filter temperature te_DPF. This temperature does not just depend on the particle filter burn-off speed, but also on the emission temperature te_vDPF up-flow ahead of the particle filter (16); and in particular from the emission flow ms_abg. This emission flow ms_abg is, for example, an emission mass flow or emission volume flow.

The particle filter temperature te_DPF is determined either by the second temperature sensor (17) or the temperature sampler. The second temperature sensor (17) can be directly or indirectly arrayed downstream after the particle filter (16).

During engine combustion, the oxygen concentration in the emission system (14) up flow ahead of the particle filter (16) can be influenced with a non shown oxygen sensor regulator. In special operations situations, the engine (10), and the throttle cut-off SA of the combustion engine (10) can be made to completely suppress fuel supply. These types of situations exist when the revolution n has become higher than the revolution threshold value while at the same time the load of the combustion engine (10) is null.

One measurement for the load of a combustion engine (10) is, for example, the momentary revolution nominal value Md_Sol1. There are however, other methods for ascertaining the load of a combustion engine (10), such as the internal revolution nominal value or the fuel signal m_K. The load can also be determined by the idle speed regulator.

From now on, we will only discuss the revolution nominal value Md_Sol1, as a method for determination of the Md_Sol1 load.

Experiments have shown that in particular during reduced fuel supply to the single cylinders, the combustion engine (10) will show irregularities in fuel combustion as well as a suspension of combustion. This is why the oxygen concentration and the concentration of unburned hydrocarbons in the emission system (14) can become difficult to control.

An unstable combustion occurs especially in connection with a fuel main injection attached fuel post injection Po_I1, which should at least partially burn off in the cylinder. With a lower Md_Sol1 load, the entire situation of the combustion engine's (10) supplied fuel is reduced, so that through a relative shift of the fuel amount to the fuel post injection, an additional reduction of the amount of fuel provided to the main fuel injection occurs, in conjunction with an increase of combustion suspension incidences.

One critical operational situation for the particle filter (14) is given when this filter is regenerated and the oxygen concentration in the emission system (14) is rising uncontrollably up flow ahead of the particle filter (16). Due to the available oxygen, the particle burn off rate increases, in conjunction with a danger of over heating the particle filter (16).

It is planned, as pursuant to the invention, to compare the throttle cut off SA of the combustion engine (10) with the threshold Md_Sol1 of the combustion engine (10) and the load threshold value L_S.

The throttle cut off SA will only activate, if the revolution n of the engine (10) goes over a (not shown) revolution threshold. Only then will the throttle cut-off SA be permitted. Furthermore, the throttle cut-off detector (31) will be checked to ascertain if the measurement of the load Ms_Sol1 of the engine (10) is below the load threshold L_S. This check takes place inside the comparator (32). Only when both requirements have been filled simultaneously, the throttle cut-off SA will be activated.

The signal showing the throttle cut-off SA is available to the throttle valve determination (33) and the ramps signal determination (34) in the shown example.

As per the invention, the load threshold L_S in conjunction with the regeneration signal Reg is set, which provides (not depicted in drawing) regeneration control. The regeneration signal Reg can be digital and simply show whether a regeneration of the particle filter (15) is taking place. Preferably, the regeneration signal Reg also can give information on the Particle combustion speed and/or other information in regards to the regeneration of the particle filter. In this case, the load threshold value L_S variable can be shown in conjunction with the regenerations signal Reg. The load threshold value L_S will continuously be shown as null.

The L_S load threshold value is constantly being raised, to ensure that opposite incomplete combustion in the single cylinders of the combustion engine (10) resulting in the uncontrolled increase of the oxygen concentration in the emission system (14) up flow ahead of the particle filter (16), stays increased. Correspondingly, in less critical operational situations, the particle filter's (16) the L-S load threshold value can be lowered. The variable regeneration signal Reg can make it possible to lower the L_S load threshold value, without interrupting the operation of the regeneration of the particle filter (16).

The L_S load threshold value can be dependant on the load condition m_P and the particles of the particle filter (16). The L_S load threshold value, with the load condition m_P, will be increased.

The L_S load threshold value can be dependant on the revolution n of the combustion engine (10), whereas the L_S load threshold value with a decrease in revolutions will increase.

The L_S load threshold value can be dependant on the emissions flow ms_abg, whereas the L_S load threshold value with less emissions flow ms_abg, is increased.

The L_S load threshold value can be dependant on the temperature of the particle filter te_DPF, whereas the L_S load threshold value with an increase in particle filter te_DPF, is increased.

The L_S load threshold value can be dependant on the M_Kfz mass, in which the combustion engine (10) is used as the primary driving force. With an increase in the M_Kfz mass of the vehicle, the L_S load threshold value will also rise, since at an increased M_Kfz mass, the throttle cut-off SA enters into the resumption of the combustion operations of the engine (10), which is hardly noticed.

The L_S load threshold value can be dependant upon the chosen gear g, where the L-S load threshold value is lowered in a lower gear g.

The L_S load threshold value furthermore can be dependant on the combustion engine temperature te_Mot, where the L-S load threshold value is lowered at higher combustion engine temperature te_Mot.

Finally, L_S load threshold value can be dependant on the ambient air te_Lu, where the L_S load threshold value at higher ambient air te_Lu will be lowered.

The transition from the combustion operations of the combustion engine (10) to the throttle cut-off SA, and/or the throttle cut-off SA to the combustion operations of the combustion engine (10) can occur suddenly. An increase in driving comfort can be achieved when the transition as described above, occurs simultaneously. With the ramp signal determination (34) the fuel signal m_K, after taking a curve, or a linear course, the last determined fuel signal m_K, the L_S load threshold value, can be lowered during the throttle cut-off SA to either null or correspondingly can be re-increased from null to a reset value of the fuel supply.

Pursuant to the arrangement, it is planned, that during throttle cut-off SA, further goals are to be met, which will influence the insertion of oxygen into the emissions system (14) up-flow ahead of the particle filter (16). One step being considered, for example, is the complete closing of the intake (11) of the combustion engine's (10) throttle valve (13). During throttle cut-off SA, the throttle valve signal definition (33) will give the throttle valve dr, a signal to close the valve (13). 

1. A method of operating a combustion engine, which has a particle filter arrayed to an emission system, the method comprising comparing a measured amount of the combustion engine for a load with a load threshold value; determining a throttle cut-off in conjunction with a particle filter regeneration signal, where a fuel supply is entirely suppressed, when the measured amount of the load is lower than the load threshold value and when revolutions of the engine run above a revolutions threshold value, and cleansing stored particles from the particle filter during regeneration in response to the particle filter regeneration signal.
 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the load threshold value is at least dependant upon a nominal value of the particle filter.
 3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the load threshold value is dependant upon an amount of the particle filter's load conditions and/or its temperature.
 4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the load threshold value is dependant upon a combustion engine's nominal operating value.
 5. A method according to claim 4, wherein the load threshold value is dependant on a combustion engine's revolutions and/or the operational temperature of the engine.
 6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the load threshold value is at least dependant upon an emission flow nominal value.
 7. A method according to claim 6, wherein the load threshold value is dependant of the emissions flow and/or an emission's temperature.
 8. A method according to claim 1, wherein the load threshold value is dependant upon a chosen gear of a transmission and/or a mass of the vehicle, in which the combustion engine is utilized as a main driving force.
 9. A method according to claim 1, further comprising during throttle cut-off, and next to a complete suppression of the fuel supply, taking at least a further measure to suppress a combustion engine's oxygen intake into the emission system.
 10. A method according to claim 1, wherein a transition of fuel injection into the throttle cut-off and/or the throttle cut-off fuel injection, is regulated by specific procedures.
 11. An arrangement for the operation of a combustion engine which has a particle filter arrayed to its emission system, the arrangement comprising a control mechanism that compares a measured amount of the combustion engine for a load with a load threshold value; determines a throttle cut-off in conjunction with a particle filter regeneration signal, where a fuel supply is entirely suppressed, when the measured amount of the load is lower than the load threshold value and when revolutions of the engine run above a revolutions threshold value, and cleanses stored particles from the particle filter during regeneration in response to the particle filter regeneration signal.
 12. An arrangement according to claim 11, wherein an engine intake has a throttle valve arrayed to it that closes during a throttle cut-off's suppression of oxygen intake into the emission system. 